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I’ll introduce another of my favorite cherry blossom viewing spots.

Sumpu Park (Sumpu Castle Ruins)
Sumpu Park is in the center of Shizuoka City.
There used to be a castle here, too. It was built in 1585 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Originally the castle was surrounded by three moats. Today you can still see an inner and outer moat. However parts of the stone walls lining the moats collapsed in an earthquake last August. Restoration will take more than 2 years. As for the castle, it burnt down in 1635! Despite this, in recent years restoration and relandscaping have made the park well worth a visit. Both Tatsumi Yagura (the southeast tower) and Higashi Gomon (the east gate) have been rebuilt.

There are 500 cherry trees in Sumpu Park. If you visit in late March or early April, you might see a lot of blue sheets spread out in the cherry orchard in the center or other parts of the park. Don't sit on them! - They have been left by people reserving their spots for cherry blossom viewing. You see, the Japanese are keen to celebrate the coming of spring by partying under the trees. Why? Well, cherry blossoms bloom at the start of the Japanese school and business years, in April, so the blossoms are very symbolic of good things to come and promise for the future. So, if you want to join in, bring a sheet to sit on!

Now, you can sit under trees and admire the blossoms in many parks. However, Sumpu is a special favorite of mine because of the cherry trees planted on the stone walls around the moats. Their branches hang down over the walls towards the water. The reflection on the water makes them twice as beautiful. When the blossoms fall they float on the water's surface creating a pink carpet beneath the trees. It's breathtaking! What's more, they are lit up at night. So, once you have picnicked on your blue sheet, take a walk around the moats, to work off the extra calories you have consumed.

Enjoyment of the cherry trees around Sumpu's moats is twofold. You see, you can walk around the inner side of the moats under the trees, too. In parts, it feels like you are walking through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Then, when the wind catches hold of them, falling petals look like pink snow showers. As you walk along, you can hear the twittering of many types of birds that come to feed on the blossoms' nectar. You can catch sight of pygmy woodpeckers, great tits, Japanese white eyes and bulbuls amongst others. It's so easy to forget you are in the middle of a city as you stroll under the canopy of blossoms, enjoying the wildlife it contains.

Cherry trees reach full bloom about a week after they start to bloom. Don't miss the best time for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) at your destinations.

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We have an English website which is called “Shizuoka Guide ”
There is a lot of useful information on the site. Please visit it.
Shizuoka Guide: Sumpu Park

On March 17th, the local meteorological observatory declared that cherry blossoms had started blooming in Shizuoka. This is 11 days earlier than usual.
I watched the news on TV. Can you watch a “flower forecast” in your country?
The flower forecasts are issued every week by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Yes! The season for cherry blossom viewing has come! It’s a big event in Japan.
You can see flower forecasts on this site:
japan-guide.com Cherry Blossom Forecast 2010

Many people all over Japan go out to see the cherry blossoms during March and April. They spread mats on the ground under the trees and have parties with their family, friends or co-workers during the day or night. It’s like a picnic. Some people just enjoy drinking and eating without looking at the flowers though…

I’ll introduce some popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Shizuoka city.
Shimizu Funakoshi Zutsumi Park
There are 1,000 cherry trees in 94,000 square meters.
In 1907 William Howard Taft (the 27th President of the United States ) and his wife came to Japan. She said that she wanted some cherry trees. The mayor of Tokyo sent 1,000 trees to Washington but they were incinerated because of insect contamination.
In 1912 trees were sent again and planted near the Potomac River. Even now there is a cherry blossom festival there.

In 1981 tree cuttings were sent back to Japan. They were given to Shimizu City (Shizuoka now). So they are a symbol of friendship between Japan and America.
You can read the story on this site: National Park Service History of the Cherry Trees

Access to Funakoshi Zutsumi Park : 20 minutes by bus from JR Shimizu station.

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We have an English website which is called “Shizuoka Guide ”
There is a lot of useful information on the site. Please visit it.
Shizuoka Guide　Shizuoka Guide Japan Travel Information
Model Course　Cherry blossom viewing tour (3 days 2 nights tour)

You need to plan to climb Mt. Fuji but if you wish to go on a day trip, you can go on the Hoei kakou (Hoei craters) trek.
The craters on the eastern side of Mt. Fuji are the result of the last eruption, in the Hoei era (1707).
The trek starts from the 5th station (2400m) on the Fujinomiya Trail.
After reaching the new 6th station (2460m), the path ceases to climb. It’s an easy walk across to the first Hoei crater. ( 1.3 km diameter). It’s a majestic view! You might feel that you are on Mars because of the red soil.

Even in the official climbing season there can still be some snow left on parts of the Hoei craters. Please be careful and wear appropriate shoes. What’s more, cloud and mist can suddenly appear from nowhere and it can get very windy. So, be prepared for varied conditions. Although the path is flat, it can get pretty scary, since it is narrow and the drop to the side is steep.

You can go down to the bottom of the crater but it’s not a very interesting view, so I wouldn’t bother, if I were you. On your way back to the 5th station you go through woodland. You can enjoy another kind of view this time. It takes about 90 minutes to walk this course.

Maybe this trekking course satisfies your needs. You can say,
“I climbed Mt. Fuji (a little ).”
This is a short trek but don’t go in high-heeled shoes.
The weather in the mountains is changeable, so you’d better take a raincoat.

The official climbing season for Mt. Fuji is between July 1st and August 31st. Buses only run in the climbing season.

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At Shin-Fuji station (The Shinkansen station) you can find ‘Mt. Fuji Tourist Bureau.' Some of the staff speak English.

We have an English website which is called “Shizuoka Guide ”
There is a lot of useful information on the site. Please visit it.
Access information
Access information from Shizuoka airport
Information about Mt. Fuji
“Over view of Mt. Fuji”
Weather forecast in Shizuoka
“One-week forecasts: Shizuoka”
Climbing Mt. Fuji
“Mountain Climbing Guide”
Climbing Mt. Fuji Model Course
Climbing Mt. Fuji (2 day 1 night tour)

When they come to Japan many people say
“I want to see Mt. Fuji.”

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan (3776 m).
It’s very beautiful and.. oh, you’ve heard it all before, right? If you come to Shizuoka, you will have many chances to see it. It depends on weather and season though... Yes, the season is very important.
Even many Japanese think we can see Mt. Fuji anytime on sunny days.

According to the statistics, the best time to see Mt. Fuji is from October to February.
8:00 in the morning is the best time. When it gets warmer, you can’t see Mt. Fuji through the mist.

Are you planning to come to Japan in summer?
July to August is the official climbing season.
I climbed it once, 5 years ago.

There are 3 trails to climb Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka : Fujinomiya Trail ,Gotenba Trail and Subashiri Trail. When I climbed Mt. Fuji , we started from the Fujinomiya Trail. The start point , or ‘5th station’ lies at 2400m(the highest of the 3 start points),so it’s the shortest trail to the top.
However, it takes 4-7 hours. It’s not very easy.
At the summit, it was about 5 degrees, even in August. I was wet because of rain, so I couldn’t stop shivering from cold.

So, as a survivor of the experience, my advice is :
- Don’t climb in T-shirts and shorts.
- Some areas are covered by lava. You need sturdy
shoes, not sandals.
(Actually my new shoes were ruined )
- Don’t forget to take gloves and a raincoat.
- A hat and sunscreen are a must for daytime climbers.
- A trekking pole is useful.
- Drink and snacks will be a welcome feast when you get to the top.
- Climb at your own pace.

“I don’t want to go to the top of Mt. Fuji but I want to experience climbing.”
OK. I’ll write an easier trekking course next time.

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At Shin-Fuji station (The Shinkansen station) you can find ‘Mt. Fuji Tourist Bureau.' Some of the staff speak English.

We have an English website which is called “Shizuoka Guide ”
There is a lot of useful information on the site. Please visit it.
Access information
Access information from Shizuoka airport
Information about Mt. Fuji
“Over view of Mt. Fuji”
Weather forecast in Shizuoka
“One-week forecasts: Shizuoka”
Climbing Mt. Fuji
“Mountain Climbing Guide”
Climbing Mt. Fuji Model Course
Climbing Mt. Fuji (2 day 1 night tour)